First Look: Sushi Bistro Rolls Sushi and Hibachi Into a Single Concept in Downtown Kirkwood [Photos]

The restaurant's signage features a bright pink lotus flower and represents a common theme in plating. Sushi plates and entrees come decorated with faux versions of these pretty little plants along with other embellishments like LED lights in little vases (Gut Check's two dining companions for the evening were kind of under-dressed dudes. And they were very impressed). An elaborate menu comes bound in smooth snakeskin-like material.

The menu begins with a selection of red and white wines by the glass or bottle followed by a selection of Gekkeikan sake, bottled beer and beverages. The page of starters includes soups, salads, hot appetizers and cold appetizers. Following that are extensive sushi and sashimi options, hibachi entrees, noodles in soup or stir-fried form, fried rice, teriyaki, katsu, tempura and a few of the standard sushi restaurant dessert offerings like mochi.

Mabel Suen

Some of Li's biggest recommendations include tuna tataki and jalapeno yellowtail sashimi appetizers as well as sushi rolls including the "Tuna King," with spicy tuna, avocado, cucumber, fresh tuna and ponzu sauce, and the "Fancy Dragon," with shrimp tempura, cucumber, smoked salmon, eel and avocado.

Sushi Bistro is open for lunch Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. Its dinner hours are Monday through Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 5 to 10 p.m. Check out its full menu, including lunch specials, on the Sushi Bistro website.